Ashley Judd Takes on Her "Puffy Face" Critics in the Most Awesome Way Possible

The Daily Beast published an essay written by Ashley Judd yesterday that you guys have got to read. The topic: Why people feel it's ok to talk about her (to quote one weekly magazine) "puffy face." And, as you'd expect from the Harvard grad, Ashley generally kicks everyone's *ss in the best way possible.

The backstory: Ashley's been on steroids for an undisclosed ailment, and it has caused her face to swell slightly—a common side effect. And this caused a lot of speculation in the tabloids that she's had work done, has gained "too much" weight or has in some way done some other type of bad, bad, HORRIBLE, dear-god-why thing to deserve ridicule. Which, let's be honest, is kind of crazy when you think about. And, clearly, Ashley has.

She starts with this: "The Conversation about women’s bodies exists largely outside of us, while it is also directed at (and marketed to) us, and used to define and control us."

Then boils it down to this: "The assault on our body image, the hypersexualization of girls and women and subsequent degradation of our sexuality as we walk through the decades, and the general incessant objectification is what this conversation allegedly about my face is really about."

She goes on to point out that a lot of the people joining in this conversation are women—a point that takes her on one totally amazing rant about patriarchy and the fact that women are partially responsible for the dynamics of it. That part you have to go read in full. It's fantastic.

And her conclusion gave me chills: "The insanity has to stop...It affects each and every one of us, in multiple and nefarious ways: our self-image, how we show up in our relationships and at work, our sense of our worth, value, and potential as human beings. Join in—and help change—the Conversation."

What a call to action. I've read it three times now, and every time I think what a great thing to do—she never once apologized or clearly offered an explanation (though it's there). Instead, she took the situation as an opportunity to try to change the way we talk about women in the media and get people thinking. And, not to make this all about me, but I have to say that today it makes me extra-proud to work at a place like Glamour, which is whole-heartedly dedicated to celebrating women and not picking their faces, bodies and every little move apart.

I demand you go read it in full right now. Right now. Then come back and tell me what stuck out to you, what parts made you think and what you feel about the whole situation in general. Did anything she had to say resonate with you?

Want more inspiration? Go check out our new "women are awesome" section, The Conversation.